Ashley needs to invest substantially or sell, if he does neither then there will be hell on and very likely Rafa leaving. Personally feel we’ll see substantial investment if Ashley stays, the money is there undoubtedly we should easily be able to spend 75mil+, alternatively if the right offer comes in he will sell so my gut feeling is we are in a win win situation

At the end of the day, the Evans thing will be purely down to where he wants to go and how much wage he’ll get. Given that there are definite defensive frailties in even the top 6 clubs, there’ll be a long queue as ben says. But from a pure “sales” perspective we’d probably get more money for the sale of Mbemba than we’d have to pay for him, so it’s possible if Rafa can be persuasive

Much Evans for 3M appeals, and despite him being part of the worst defensive line outside of Wearside, he won’t be short of offers for far more than we would pay. Would be silly not to try anyway though. I would offer WBA 5M now on the quiet and hope his agent didn’t leak it to the press.

First off, the bit no-one will disagree with, good luck and best wishes to Dr Harrison with those scans today.

Secondly, back on topic, I think Rafa himself would have to admit he is now a better manager for having to work on a tighter budget. He seems to have excelled at bringing the best out of the available players – which is a gift that good international managers have to possess. He’ll need this whether he goes to Arsenal or stays at NUFC, as he is not going to get an open chequebook – both clubs have a similar business model (except one of them is better at executing it).

I think MA is right to keep a tight hold of finances, after the disasters of the past, but he cannot keep creaming off promised transfer funds whenever it suits him. A bit of compromise on both sides is needed 70% Ashley and 30% Rafa, and I’m sure a sensible deal will be done.

The Arsenal top shareholder on talksport reading what sounds more like a funeral eulogy than a thank you to Wenger! I hope Arsenal do a Sunlun now. Or a Charlton for those who remember that disaster. Careful what you wish for… It would serve them right to tumble down the table and have years of nothing. Why they think they have a divine right to play CL football is beyond comprehension, yet imagine if we so much as suggested such a thing? Rafa won’t go there for his project. Their fan base is the polar opposite of ours and the fan base is important to his project. He loves loyalty. Loyalty and Arsenal fans don’t sit comfortably in the same sentence. Spoilt brats. 🙂 So don’t worry about him going to Arsenal. All Rafa needs is the right words from Ashley and he’ll stay. Anyone a decent ventriloquist? Get Ashley mortal… “Certainly Rafa, you can have whatever you ask”.

This isn’t an NUFC post, but it’s football and Ed you were right to mention it. Rafa did too.

On Wenger:

I’m old enough to remember how that team played (and admittedly won a few) pre-Wenger. But this guy completely transformed them and for years they’ve been entertaining the world with beautiful football.

He brought in good player after good player, set up amazing, attacking teams. On the cheap too. He only lately went overboard, probably in desperation, or due to pressure. It’s kind of a shame his brand of football didn’t win more, often through bad luck.

Still, given the invincibles, assorted silverware and consistent CL football, he has been very successful.

This current line-up is clearly poorer than past squads he’s put together, despite those two excellent late arrivals. Something’s missing. And he can’t find it. It’s not just defence.

On TV, he appears scholarly, a top professional, who knows the game inside out. Haven’t read what he’ll do next, hope it isn’t some boring job like D of Football. Hope he takes over the French team or… England.

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health update

My latest bone scans and CAT scans were completed this week and I met with my oncologist Dr. Dhruva to go over the results.

The stage four cancer remains stabilized and hasn't spread over the last six months.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in early 2017 after being in remission for six years.

There is no cure for stage 4 cancer - but there are treatments which attempt to prolong life.

I am upbeat with the results and remain in awe of the doctors and nurses at the Rex Cancer Center here in Raleigh, North Carolina

It's truly humbling to see how inspiring they are with their patients.

Ed Harrison

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